Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are in a rush and just need to eat? It’s hard enough to find a healthy vegan lunch with time on your hands. Now throw in the fact that the only choice is a drive through, OMG what’s a vegan to do?

Understand that you are not going to find any fast food restaurants that have a vegan menu. But what they do have are healthy vegan choices, some may require a few modifications.

This has been a very popular post, I have updated it today and added another great addition.

Fast Food Vegan

Sweet Tomatoes
Not exactly a fast food restaurant Sweet Tomatoes falls into the fast casual but still deserves a spot on this list. Sweet Tomatoes is the ultimate salad bar that offers everything a vegan will love. All the greens you can eat and a killer soup bar with all soups made from scratch. Not all soups are vegan, but they always have one vegan option and it usually rocks. I once found them serving vegan chili that just might have been the best vegan chili I ever had.

Subway
Subway’s list of vegan options is smaller than one might think. The only thing on their menu that is vegan is the Veggie Delight sandwich or salad. The Veggie Delight is a selection of their toppings on bread. The veggie patty is not vegan, it is made with eggs. On a positive note, Subway is market testing some vegan options which include the Malibu Greek, a falafel-like patty sub. The Italian Black Bean, odd name considering Italians are known for eating black beans. Lastly the Sweet Riblet, a non-meat boneless rib sub basted in BBQ sauce. These sandwiches are only available in the following locations:

Wendy’s
For a burger place, Wendy’s is a last ditch effort for me as they have some vegan-friendly items. Or you can modify some things that are not so very vegan. A plain baked potato is a solid choice; Add had a little hot sauce to liven it up. Any of their salads can be ordered with out the chicken or cheese. French fries, yes they are vegan and once in a while it’s ok to have some.

Taco Bell
It’s safe for vegans to make a run for the border as Taco Bell has an excellent offering for vegans. Cinnamon twists, chips, and guacamole are a not so healthy choice but vegan all the same. The Bean Burrito “fresco style,” the regular Black Bean Burrito without Cheese, or the Veggie Cantina Power Bowl without the sauce of course. Many of their selections can be veganized with a few modifications. The 7 Layer Bean Burrito can be made vegan by ordering without the cheese and sour cream.

Pollo Tropical
If you find yourself in the South Florida area, there is a chain called Pollo Tropical. A Latin fast food chicken restaurant with an excellent selection of vegan. Order the vegetarian TropiChop and you won’t be disappointed. A side of balsamic tomatoes is always an excellent choice and of course, you can’t go wrong with black beans and rice. They even have brown rice if you want to go healthy. Other fabulous sides include boiled yuca, sweet plantains and corn, all great vegan options.

Moe’s
Moe’s does not have a drive through so you will have to walk in but they make it fast. Just order a custom burrito on a whole wheat tortilla. What I love about Moe’s is they have tofu, so a nice fat burrito packed with tofu, Pico de gall, black beans, lettuce, guacamole, onions, and jalapenos hits the spot.

Au Bon Pain
The restaurant with the funny name offers a few vegan options including chickpea and tomato cucumber salad, green bean and beat salad as well as the chickpea and tomato salad. In the mood for a sandwich try the portobello and goat cheese but be sure to hold the goat cheese. If you’re looking for a hot soup, well it depends on the day, they change them often. I was there the other day and of the five kinds of soup, they were offering none where vegan, or even close. But on a good day, you might find mediterranean spinach and chickpea ragout, vegetarian chili, curried rice and lentil soup, French Moroccan lentil soup or vegetarian lentil soup.

Chipotle
They say there are just as many Chipotle’s as there are Starbucks. Throw a rock and you are bound to hit one. That’s good news if you are vegan because Chipotle offers a few tasty options including The vegetarian fajita burrito without cheese and sour cream. You can modify a burrito anyway you like, and they have a huge selection of choices for it like black beans, pinto beans, cilantro-lime rice and so much more. Of course chips and salsa is always a safe option, but oddly for a Mexican place, Chipotle needs to work on their chips.

Pei Wei
I love Pei Wei, and it’s another fast casual restaurant owned by PF Changs. If you are looking for something tasty and quick, this is the place. Their great vegan options include Edamame, Pei Wei Spring Rolls, Japanese Teriyaki Bowl, Spicy Korean, Sweet and Sour and Tai Blazing Noodles. All dishes can have tofu added.

Chick Fil A
Put aside their horrible marketing where they have cows begging not to be eaten. Instead, they are asking you to eat chicken like that’s even right. But if you can’t find anything else, then Chick Fil A has some offerings for you. Order any salad without the cheese and a wrap without the chicken can be filled with other veggie toppings.

Although fast food may not be your first choice, it’s good to know there are some vegan options when time is not on your side.